Hot Out The Gate: More Players On Fire To Start The Season

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025–2026 season is officially underway across the Bluegrass State, and players wasted no time making their presence felt. In this article, I'll highlight standouts who are off to hot starts, delivering big-time performances to open the season and setting the tone for what could be breakout years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["722791"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6930925e88a96"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Martin County opened the season in dominant fashion with a 77–59 win over Shelby Valley, powered by one of the top sophomores in the state, [player_tooltip player_id='722791' first='Maci' last='Maynard']. The 6'4 center was an absolute force in the interior, finishing with 21 points and breaking the school's single-game rebounding record with 24 boards. The Lady Cardinals will look to carry that momentum into Saturday's matchup against St. Henry at the Madison Central Shootout.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["747692"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6930925e88b25"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Whitley County star [player_tooltip player_id='747692' first='Madisyn' last='Hopkins'] is making an early statement, erupting for a game-high 33 points and 12 rebounds while shooting an impressive 13-of-16 from the free-throw line to lead the Lady Colonels to a 55–40 win over Pineville. Whitley County will hit the road next, traveling to Pulaski County for a Monday matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1176087"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6930925e88b73"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Top wing/forward prospect in the class of 2029 [player_tooltip player_id='1176087' first='Lexi' last='Mapes'] led Belfry to a narrow 60–59 victory over region foe Lawrence County, posting an impressive 15-point, 20-rebound double-double. The Lady Pirates secured their first win under new head coach Matt Thornsbury and will look to improve to 2–0 as they travel to Magoffin County on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["796168"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6930925e88bb9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Breathitt County opened the 2025–2026 season with a 57–39 win over Betsy Layne, starting the year 1–0. Super sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='796168' first='Lexie' last='Combs'] made an impact on both ends of the floor, delivering a game-high 32 points, added 7 rebounds, and 6 steals. The Lady Cats will look to keep things rolling as they face Buckhorn tomorrow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1123010"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6930925e88c03"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">North Oldham has a rising star in [player_tooltip player_id='1123010' first='Ava' last='Crace'], who delivered a stat-stuffing performance in the Lady Mustangs' season-opening 57–51 win over Bullitt Central. The freshman finished with 20 points, 14 rebounds, 6 steals, 2 assists, and 2 blocks, impacting every area of the game. North Oldham will stay at home tomorrow as they host Anderson County.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376796"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69309aa81dee4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nelson County opened its home schedule with a convincing 55–47 win over Central Hardin. Brescia commit [player_tooltip player_id='376796' first='Nora' last='Kate Simpson'] delivered a masterful all-around performance, with 27 points, 15 rebounds, and 5 steals to lead the Lady Cards. Nelson County will look to keep rolling as they continue their three-game homestand, hosting a tough Bethlehem squad on Friday. <em>(Featured Image)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1260659"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69309aa81df78"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1260659' first='Ja'Leigha' last='Bussey'] delivered a breakout performance, dropping a career-high 24 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and adding 1 assist, 1 steal, and 1 block to lead John Hardin to a 77–64 win and their first home victory of the season. The Lady Bulldogs will look to build off of this win as they host LaRue County on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->